1 in 5 Texans victimized by a stalker

HUNTSVILLE - Nearly one in five Texans questioned by researchers in a Sam Houston State University study identified themselves as victims of stalkers during a recent two-year period.

The study by the Crime Victims Institute at the Huntsville school's Criminal Justice Center, believed to be the first-ever on stalking in the state, reported three-quarters of those victims experienced emotional and-or other personal problems. The most common reaction was anger, followed by sleeplessness. Other effects included loss of concentration, fear of being alone and feelings of helplessness.

"Stalking can affect every part of a person's life," Glen Kercher, the institute's director, said of the "Stalking in Texas" survey, based on questioning of 701 randomly selected Texas residents last spring. "The psychological effects of stalking can also be daunting. Understandably, many victims were more easily frightened and paranoid, less outgoing and assertive."

Kercher, assisted in the study by doctoral student Matthew Johnson, said he was surprised the survey showed men and women were about equally likely to be stalked. Of all those surveyed, 16 percent of men and 20 percent of women reported being stalked.

Nearly half, 47 percent, the male victims said their stalker was a man. Among women, 59 percent said they were stalked by a man.

Stalking victims are most likely to be under 35 years old and never married, although separated or divorced people were the next most likely victims.

Also, the survey found stalking often was preceded by violence between the victim and offender, suggesting stalkers "are often motivated by possessiveness and control issues," the survey report said. Of the 75 percent of victims who had some idea why they were targeted, the most common reason was jealousy on the part of the stalker.

Only 43 percent of the victims reported their experience to police, and just 20 percent of those said their stalker had been arrested.

"The low arrest rate is a function of this being a very difficult crime to investigate," Kercher said.

"And often, if a person is reporting to police that they've got a threatening phone call, police are not adequately trained. That's why, in our conclusions, we recommend more training for police, for prosecutors."

Stalking survey

Experiences, in percent, reported by stalking victims:

35.2 - Repeated unwanted phone calls from same person who hung up or said nothing when call answered

34.4 - Items stolen from house, car or business

25.8 - Three or more angry or threatening phone calls from same person